About the Award

The University of Prince Edward Island’s Hessian Merit Awards for Excellence in Teaching honour faculty members who are recognized as possessing outstanding competence in teaching. These awards publicly acknowledge individuals whose work has contributed to instructional excellence at UPEI. nominees for these awards are expected to:

• exhibit a comprehensive knowledge of the subject
• be habitually well prepared for teaching sessions
• have energy and enthusiasm for the subject and the capacity to arouse students’ interest in it
• encourage student participation in the teaching and learning process
• set a high standard and motivate students to attain that standard
• communicate effectively at levels appropriate to students’ capacity
• emphasize understanding of the subject over mere memorization (as appropriate) in evaluating student performance
• be accessible to students outside the classroom, and
• demonstrate excellence in teaching, including the use of innovative teaching techniques

Eligibility

• Any member of the Faculty Association is eligible for nomination except current members of the Faculty Association Executive Committee
• Winners within the past five years are not eligible.

Required Documentation

• Nomination form and sponsor letters

(Main Body – up to 20 pages)

• a statement of teaching philosophy
• explanations of teaching methods
• a letter from a current or past student, if not a sponsor and included with the nomination form
• a letter from the candidate’s department chair or dean (or the appropriate designate), if not a sponsor and included with the nomination form

Optional Documentation

(Appendices – up to 20 pages)

• where possible, evidence that teaching methods successfully enhance student learning
• descriptions of teaching innovations
• evidence of sharing pedagogical methodology with colleagues/continuing education in teaching
• up to three course outlines from your most recent courses
• any additional material that would support the your case